Anju, Manju ya ….

Anju, Manju ya ….. Insipid sequel: My quick take on “Bhool Bhulaiyya 2”

I was watching another sequel of a huge Indian blockbuster movie "Bhool Bhulaiyya" just as I completed seeing a terrific sequel of a 36-year-old blockbuster movie "Top Gun," and I smacked myself and asked myself "kyu Hari Bhau kyu." Mind you, Bhool Bhulaiyya’ s origins can be traced back to the Malayalam classic "Manichitratazhu," which had the uncommon distinction of being recreated in 4-5 different languages and being a blockbuster in each of them.

Now comes a "so-called" sequel to BB, in which the filmmakers have strayed from the psycho-thriller genre and into the horror-comedy realm (it ended up becoming a comical attempt at horror). The only relationship between BB2 and BB was "Manjolica" and a buffoon played by Rajpal Yadav. In my opinion, this might have done well as an independent film without any connection to "Manjolica."

Unlike in the original BB, the Manjolica spirit is a "free-spirited ghost" imprisoned in a haveli that has been abandoned by its Thakurs. 'Reet' Thakur (Kiara Advani) chooses to play dead so that her younger sister might marry the boy of her dreams (Kya sacrifice hai), and in the process, she and her boyfriend (Kartik Aryan) barge into this "haunted haveli," and the so-called horror comedy begins. In the meanwhile, Manjolica breaks free from her bonded room, only to reveal that she is a twin of Onjalica, who is even eviler than the evil spirit. Tabu did an excellent job in both roles.

Because it is a sequel to BB, there will undoubtedly be comparisons. The plot, performances, and music in BB were all excellent, while BB2 pales in contrast. Vidya Balan's Majolica was scarier than Tabu's foundation-cracked face make-up, but Kiara Advani is the saving grace; she looks lovely (at times, she reminds you of a young Hema Malini), and Kartik Aryan isn't bad either. Overall, it’s a good ploy to make a “horror comedy”, because if “horror” doesn’t scare you then silly comedy will 😊

One has to learn from the Top Gun team, how to create a beautiful sequel, or else you will end up making a “Bhool Gaya” sequence.